Cart for use in providing service to passengers in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A cart for providing service to passengers in a vehicle. The cart includes a housing having a storage volume with one or more openings to the storage volume, opposite housing sidewalls, and wheels connected to the bottom of the housing. The cart also includes a wireless communication module supported by the housing, with the wireless communication module configured to establish a data communications link in accordance with at least one wireless communication protocol. A data processor is supported by the housing and connected in communication with the wireless communication module with the data processor executing a control system, and the control system receiving information via the data communications link. Sidewalls of the housing support an electronic display connected in communication to the control system and displaying information in accordance with commands received from the control system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure includes material subject to copyrightprotection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in thePatent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to carts, and more particularlyto carts for use in providing service for passengers on commercialtransport vehicles.

BACKGROUND

On vehicles used for commercial transport of passengers, vehicle crewfrequently employ a cart to aid in providing service for passengerswhile the vehicle is in route to its destination. In particular, thecart is used to carry service items, such as beverages, snacks, andmeals for passengers. The services items are stored in the cart in binsor shelves, and vehicle crew push the cart along aisles in the vehiclebetween columns of seats as each row of passengers is served. On largeraircraft, multiple carts are typically employed so that differentsections of the vehicle may be serviced simultaneously. In addition, onecart may be used to provide beverages for passengers, while another cartis used to provide meals so that that passengers may be served morequickly.

While such carts are useful and reduce the workload for vehicle crew,the carts have not changed much in recent years. Hence, improvements aredesired to enhance cart utility.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, the disclosure describes a cart for use in providingservice to passengers in a vehicle. The cart includes a housing having astorage volume with at least one opening to the storage volume, and thehousing including a bottom and a pair of opposite sidewalls. The cartalso includes wheels connected to the bottom of the housing, and awireless communication module supported by the housing. The wirelesscommunication module is configured to establish a data communicationslink in accordance with at least one wireless communication protocol.The cart additionally includes a data processor supported by the housingand connected in communication with the wireless communication module.The data processor execute a control system in which the control systemreceives information via the data communications link.

The cart also includes an electronic display supported by each sidewallof the housing. Each electronic display is connected in communication tothe control system and displays information in accordance with commandsreceived from the control system. The cart includes an electrical powersource electrically connected to the wireless communication module, thedata processor, and electronic display and supplies electrical powerthereto, either directly or indirectly.

In a further aspect, the control system receives advertising data viathe data communications link, and commands the electronic displays todisplay information in accordance with the advertising data. In anotherfurther aspect, the cart includes a memory storing advertising dataconnected in communication with the data processor. The adverting datamay have been communicated to the cart via the data communications linkand stored in the memory, in which the control system executed by thedata processor commands the electronic displays to display informationin accordance with the advertising data. The advertising data mayinclude information such as a menu of available meals, snacks, beveragesand other items, prices, premium and request items available, and otherinformation such as a service schedule, and attractions to visit at thearrival destination, including available services at the destination.

In another further aspect, the wireless communication module isconfigured to establish a data communications link in accordance with amedia access control protocol known as Carrier Sense Multiple Accesswith Collision Avoidance based on IEEE 802.11 standards. The wirelesscommunications module is also configured to establish a datacommunications link in accordance with short-range radio frequencycommunication protocol based on the International Organization forStandardization of radio frequency identification.

In yet a further aspect, at least one electronic display includes anelectrophoretic ink. In a different further aspect, at least oneelectronic display includes a liquid crystal display. In yet a differentfurther aspect, the electrical power source includes a rechargeablepower source.

In another aspect, the disclosure describes a cart for use in providingservice to passengers in a vehicle. The cart includes a housing having astorage volume with at least one opening to the storage volume, and thehousing including a bottom and sidewalls. The cart includes wheelsconnected to the bottom of the housing, and a data processor supportedby the housing in which the data processor executes a control system.The cart includes an electronic paper display supported by at least onesidewall of the housing, with the electronic paper display beingconnected in communication to the control system and displayinginformation in accordance with commands received from the controlsystem. The cart includes an electrical power source electricallyconnected to the data processor and the electronic paper display andsupplying electrical power thereto. In a more detailed aspect theelectronic paper display includes an electrophoretic ink.

In a further aspect, the cart includes a memory storing advertising dataconnected in communication with the data processor in which the controlsystem executed by the data processor commands the electronic display todisplay information in accordance with the advertising data. In a yet afurther aspect, the cart includes a non-volatile memory connected incommunication with the data processor. In still another aspect, the cartfurther includes a wireless communication module supported in thehousing. The wireless communication module is configured to establish adata communications link in accordance with one or more wirelesscommunication protocols. In a more detailed aspect, at least onewireless communication protocol is in accordance with at least one ofBluetooth and NFC.

The vehicle includes an electrical system and galley. In an additionalaspect, the electrical power source of the cart includes a rechargeablebattery supported by the housing. The cart further includes a pair ofelectrical contacts configured to electrically connect to the vehicleelectrical system when the cart is docked or stowed in the galley of thevehicle for convenient recharging when the cart is not in use.

In a different aspect, the disclosure describes a cart for use inproviding service to passengers in a vehicle. The cart includes ahousing having a storage volume, a bottom, sidewalls, and opposite ends.Each end includes a door moveable between an open position permittingaccess to the storage volume, and a closed position, closing off accessto the storage volume from that end of the housing. The cart alsoincludes wheels connected to the bottom of the housing, and aninformation processing system supported by the housing. The informationprocessing system includes a data processor and memory in communicationwith one another. The data processor executes a control system in whichthe control system accesses data stored in the memory.

The cart includes an electronic display supported by at least onesidewall of the housing, with the electronic display connected incommunication to the control system and displaying information inaccordance with commands received from the control system. The cartfurther includes an electrical power source electrically connected tothe data processor and electronic display and supplying electrical powerthereto. In further aspects, the electronic display includes anelectrophoretic ink, and the cart includes another electronic displaysupported by another sidewall of the housing.

In a still further aspect, the cart includes a wireless communicationmodule supported in the housing in which the wireless communicationmodule is configured to establish a data communications link inaccordance with at least one wireless communication protocol. In a moredetailed aspect, the wireless communication module is configured toestablish a data communications link in accordance with a media accesscontrol protocol known as Carrier Sense Multiple Access with CollisionAvoidance based on IEEE 802.11 standards, and a data communications linkin accordance with short-range radio frequency communication protocolbased on International Organization for Standardization radio frequencyidentification.

The vehicle includes an electrical system and galley. In a more detailedaspect, the electrical power source of the cart includes a rechargeablebattery supported by the housing. Moreover, the cart includes electricalcontacts configured to electrically connect to the vehicle electricalsystem when the cart is docked or stowed in the galley of the vehicle.

Other aspects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features of the present disclosure will now be describedwith reference to the drawings of the various aspects disclosed herein.In the drawings, the same components may have the same referencenumerals. Note that the drawings are not intended to be to scale or showactual quantities of components or relative sizes. The illustratedaspects are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the presentdisclosure. The drawings include the following figures briefly describedas follows:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a portion of thepassenger cabin of an airplane with a cart shown along an aisle betweencolumns of seats;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cart of FIG. 1removed from the vehicle, showing details of the cart;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the cart of FIG. 2, with a door at eachend of the cart at an open position and permitting access to a storagevolume in a housing of the cart;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the cart of FIG. 3 looking towards theother end of the cart to more clearly show a battery supported by thehousing;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an information processing system of thecart and communication with components of the vehicle; and

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of thecart from FIG. 3, and illustrates an electronic display showing a QRcode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary note, the terms “component”, “module”, “system,” andthe like as used herein are intended to refer to a computer-relatedand/or information processing entity, either software-executing generalor special purpose processor, hardware, firmware and/or a combinationthereof. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, aprocess running on a hardware processor, a hardware processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. For example, a controller or control system may be implementedin software, hardware, and/or a combination thereof, and may include agroup of two or more control systems working cooperatively.

By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and theserver can be a component. One or more components may reside within aprocess and/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized onone computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Also,these components can execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicatevia local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signalhaving one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal).

Computer executable components can be stored, for example, atnon-transitory, computer readable media including, but not limited to,an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), CD (compact disc),DVD (digital video disk), ROM (read only memory), floppy disk, harddisk, EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory),solid state memory device or any other storage device, in accordancewith the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, the following disclosure describes a cart 10 for use inproviding service to passengers in a vehicle 12 as schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of a portion of the passenger cabin of an airplane 14, with thecart 10 positioned along an aisle 16 between columns of seats 17. WhileFIG. 1 illustrates the vehicle 12 as an airplane 14, the vehicle is notlimited to an aircraft and may be of any type, such as a ship, train,ferry, bus, or other type of vehicle having an aisle 16 or other areasthrough which a cart 10 may move for providing service to passengers.The cart 10 may also be used in stationary environments, such as in abuilding, warehouse, dock, and other environments, and used to transportitems from a stationary environment to a mobile environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the cart 10 removed from the vehicle 12.With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cart includes a housing 18having a bottom 20, and a pair of opposite sidewalls 22. The shape ofthe housing 18 corresponding substantially to a rectangularparallelepiped. The rectangular parallelepiped shape of the housing 18has a width, height, and length in which the width is the smallest ofthe foregoing three dimensions. The width is of a size sufficientlynarrow to enable the cart 10 to be pushed along an aisle of mostpassenger transport vehicles. For aircraft used for commercial passengertransport, the aisle width ranges from 40 cm to 70 cm, depending on theclass of service and the density of the seating. Section 25.815 of Part25 of Federal Aviation Regulations requires an aisle width of at least15 inches (38.1 cm) for aircraft having a passenger seating capacity of20 or more.

The length of the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the housing 18 isof a dimension for providing sufficient workspace for flight crewmembers to efficiently serve seated passengers. Simultaneously, thelength is limited to facilitate maneuvering the cart 10 from stowage ina galley in the vehicle 12, along the aisle or aisles 16 of the vehicle,and back to the cart stowage location. The housing 18 includes oppositeends 23, and the housing length from one end 23 of the housing 18 to theother end 23 horizontally along the aisle 16 of the vehicle 12 istypically from two to three times the housing width.

The cart 10 includes wheels 24 connected to the bottom of the housing18. The wheels 24 support the housing 18 on the floor of the vehicle 12for rolling the cart 10 along an aisle 16. The wheels 24 include brakesoperated by pedals (not shown) connected to the bottom 20 of the housingfor locking the wheels 24 and preventing the cart 20 from rolling. Thewheels 24 typically support the bottom 20 of the housing 18 from 100 to150 cm above the vehicle floor, and more typically in a range from 110cm to 130 cm. The height of the housing 18 from the bottom 20 to the top26 of the housing, plus the distance the wheels 24 support the housingbottom 20 above the floor, places the housing top 26 at a heightcomfortable for most crew members as a work surface. The housing height,measured from the housing bottom 20 to the housing top 26, is usuallywithin a range from 800 cm to 1000 cm, and more typically around themidpoint of the foregoing range. When the height added by the wheels 24is included, this places the top 26 of the housing 18 in a range from900 cm to 1150 cm above the vehicle floor.

Returning to FIG. 1, the cart 10 is pushed or directed along the aisle16 of the vehicle 12, lengthwise. That is, with each sidewall 22 of thecart 10 facing towards the rows of seats 18 on opposite sides of thecart 10. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the housing 18 includes a storagevolume 24. The storage volume 24 is disposed above the bottom 20 of thehousing 18, and between the sidewalls 22. The storage volume 24 mayinclude shelves 28 for dividing the storage volume 24 into smallersections or volumes for efficient storage of items, such as meal trays,beverages, snacks, and/or other service items. Preferably the shelves 28are adjustable via a plurality of spaced apart shelf supports 30disposed along the interior of the sidewalls 22 in the storage volume24.

Each end 23 of the housing 18 includes a door 25 moveable between anopen position permitting access to the storage volume 24 and a closedposition, closing off access to the storage volume from that end of thehousing. FIG. 2 illustrates each door 25 in the closed position. Incomparison, FIG. 3 illustrates each door 25 in the open position. FIG. 4schematically illustrates a perspective view of the cart 10 towards theother end 23 of the cart 10, with both doors 25 in the open position.

The cart 10 includes an information processing system 32. Theinformation processing system 32 is supported by the cart housing 18.FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the information processingsystem 32. As shown, the information processing system 32 includes adata processor 34 and memory 36 in communication with one another. Inparticular, the communication is via a bus 37. The data processor 34executes a control system 38 in which the control system accesses datastored in the memory 36. The data processor 34 also executes anoperating system and system software 40. The data processor 34 ispreferably a low power type, such as an ARM processor, but may be othertypes as well, such as an Intel or AMD type processor, preferably a typeintended for low power or mobile use, and may comprise one or processorsfor parallel processing, and/or a GPU in communication with the dataprocessor.

The information processing system 32 includes a wireless communicationmodule 42 supported by the housing 18. The wireless communication module42 is configured to establish a wireless data communications link inaccordance with at least one wireless communication protocol, forexample, a media access control protocol known as Carrier Sense MultipleAccess with Collision Avoidance based on IEEE 802.11 standards, commonlyknown as Wi-Fi. Another example is a short-range radio frequencycommunication protocol based on the International Organization forStandardization of radio frequency identification (RFID), including nearfield communication (NFC). Yet others examples include Bluetooth andcellular communication protocols. Still other examples include Lutronintegration, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Kidde protocols.

The wireless communication module 42 is able to establish a wirelessdata link in accordance with one or more of the foregoing protocols, andmost preferably at least Wi-Fi. In this regard, vehicles 12 used forcommercial public transport frequently include an entertainment system44. Such entertainment systems 44 often include wireless access points(WAPs) 46, permitting passengers to use personal electronic devices(PEDs) 47 to establish communicate with the entertainment system 44 viaWi-Fi. Many entertainment systems include a selection of content, suchas films and audio program that passengers can consume on their PEDs 47.The data processor 34 of the information processing system 32 is incommunication with the wireless communication module 42, including thecontrol system 38 executed by the data processor 34, and receivesinformation via the wireless data communication link.

The cart 10 also includes an electronic display 48 supported by eachsidewall 22 of the housing 18. Each electronic display 48 is connectedin communication to the control system 38. Each electronic display 48displays information in accordance with commands received from thecontrol system 38. The information may be a menu of service itemsavailable, such as meal, snack and/or beverage types, brand information,and/or advertising, such as premium items available, and/or otherinformation. Each electronic display 48 faces outward from itsrespective sidewall 22 of the cart 10 toward the passenger seats 17. Thepassengers are therefore able to view the information displayed by theelectronic displays 48 while waiting for crew personnel to provideservice from the cart 10.

The electronic displays 48 may be any type of conventional display thatis lightweight and power efficient, such as LCDs, OLEDS, or electronicpaper display types. Electronic paper are advantageous in that thedisplays are lightweight, low power, and can be read under bright lightconditions because the electronic paper displays reflect light similarto how paper reflects light. Many electronic paper displays hold statictext and images indefinitely even in the absence of electricity, andtypically include electrophoretic ink. Further, electronic paperdisplays can display colors in addition to black and white. Electronicpaper displays are available from E Ink Corporation of Billerica, Mass.in the United States.

The cart 10 includes an electrical power source 50 connected to theinformation processing system 32, which supplies power to the dataprocessor 34 and wireless communication module 42. The electrical powersource 50 also supplies power to the electronic displays 48. Theelectrical power source 50 preferably comprises a rechargeable batterycarried by the cart 10. The desirable power output and capacitycharacteristics may be achieved with a lithium-ion type battery, such aslithium cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel cobalt, lithiumpolymer or other lithium type battery. Due to higher chemical andthermal stability, lithium iron phosphate may be preferred forapplications where safety is of paramount concern, such as in aviation,or lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide in which the aluminum providesgreater chemical stability. Lithium-polymer batteries may be shaped tocorrespond to the space available in the cart. Lithium batteries foraviation applications are available from Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. ofSumoto City, Japan, in which Sanyo is a subsidiary of PanasonicCorporation. A possible alternative to lithium batteries is a fuel cellor cells. In either case, sufficient energy to power the variouscomponents of the cart 10, is preferable for at least one hour, and morepreferably, a minimum of three hours.

As the battery 50 is preferably rechargeable, the cart 10 may include acharging circuit connected thereto with a detachable connection to themain electrical system of the vehicle 14 for convenient recharging ofthe battery 50. In particular, the cart 10 may be provided with adocking station in the vehicle 12 in which an electrical connection isestablished between the vehicle electrical system and the battery 50when the cart 10 is docked or stowed. In this configuration, thecharging circuit is preferably included with the dock to reduce theweight of the cart 10 and provide more storage space for service items.The cart 10 includes a plug or port 52 at the base of the housing 18 oneach end of the housing. When the cart 10 is docked or stowed in thevehicle, the port 52 electrically connects or mates with a correspondingport connected to the vehicle electrical system. Hence, the battery 50therefore charges when the cart 10 is docked or stowed, such as in thegalley of a vehicle. The plug 52 is provided at both ends of the cart 10so that either end of the cart may be docked or stowed for charging.Alternatively, the charging circuit may be included with the cart 10 andprovided with a cord for connection to an electrical outlet of thevehicle 14.

As noted above, many electronic paper displays hold static text andimages indefinitely even in the absence of electricity. This isadvantageous in the event the battery 50 becomes discharged during useof the cart. In particular, such an electronic display can maintain thedisplay of static text and images despite the depleted condition of thebattery 50 until the battery can be recharged or replaced.

The battery 50 is preferably disposed near the bottom of the cart 20 tolower the cart's center of gravity and help reduce the risk of the carttipping over. However, the battery 20 may be placed in other locations,depending on space requirements, and size and weight of the cart 10 andcomponents thereof, including the battery. The information processingsystem 32 has been illustrated disposed near the bottom 20 of the cart10. However, the information processing system 32 is generally a lighterweight component and may be placed at other locations. As informationprocessing systems tend to generate heat, the information processingsystem 32 may be disposed near the top 26 of the cart 10 for a cartintended to provide chilled service items, such as canned beverages,desserts, ice cream, etc. If the wireless communication module 42 isplaced near the bottom 20 of the cart 10, preferably it is connected incommunication to one or more antennas 33 near the top 26 of the cart forimproved signal reception.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, at least NFC antennas 56 are placed onor near the top 26 of the cart 10 for convenient use by vehicle crewmembers. In this regard, crew members may accepts via NFC for premiumservice items. The NFC antennas 56 are provided proximate opposite endsof the cart so that crew members on opposite sides of the cart haveconvenient access to an NFC antenna. The NFC antennas also act as RFIDreaders such that the cart can track and monitor items having RFID tags.Alternatively, the NFC antennas 56 may be placed on the sidewalls 22 ofthe housing 18, near the upper corners the sidewalls for convenientaccess by both seated passengers and crew. More particularly, a seatedpassenger may easily reach an NFC antenna 56 located on the side of thehousing 18, while the NFC nevertheless is positioned sufficiently highon a sidewall that it can also be conveniently reached by a standingcrew member. In another configuration, the NFC antennas 56 may be placedon both the top 26 and sidewalls 22 of the cart 10 for even moreconvenient access.

The payment information is communicated to the control system 38.Preferably the wireless communication module 42 includes WiFicapability, in which the control system 38 encrypts the paymentinformation and communicates the information to the vehicleentertainment system 44 for verification by communicating theinformation to a ground server. Alternatively, the wirelesscommunication module 42 may have cellular capability, in whichverification of payment information may proceed via cellularcommunication, or as a backup if there is an interruption in Internetconnectivity.

As previously described, the information processing system 32 includes amemory 36 connected in communication with the data processor 34 via abus 37. The data processor 34 executes the control system 38 in whichthe control system accesses data stored in the memory 36. The memory 36may be SDRAM, NVRAM, a combination thereof, or other type. The cart 10also includes storage media 58 connected to the data processor 34 fornon-volatile storage of data when the data processor 64 is powered downand power is not available to maintain memory in RAM. The storage media58 may be flash memory, an SSD, hard disk drive, or other type of mediafor non-volatile storage of data. A ROM or EEPROM may be included fornon-volatile data storage as well, either alone or in combination withother non-volatile storage media.

Referring to FIG. 6, the storage media 58 may be a compact flash, securedigital memory card (SD card), other removeable type insertable into amemory card reader 62. The memory card reader 62 is in communicationwith the bus 37 for exchanging data between the data processor 34 andthe media 58. For greater security, the memory card reader may bedisposed inside the cart housing 18 so that it is only accessible afterone of the doors 25 of the cart are opened. Alternatively or in additionto a card reader 62, USB ports may be provided for connection of mediain the form of USB drives.

The memory 25 stores advertising data in which the control systemexecuted by the data processor commands the electronic displays todisplay information in accordance with the advertising data. Theadvertising data includes menus, prices, travel information, graphicsand text, and itinerary information for the vehicle. The information mayinclude public address messages as well. The advertising data may becommunicated to the cart 10 via the wireless communication module 42thereof and stored in the memory 36 by the control system 38 executed bythe data processor 34.

Entertainment systems 44 on commercial transport vehicles typically havecontent that is refreshed periodically. The advertising data may becommunicated from the entertainment system 44 via a WAP 46 incommunication with the cart wireless communication module 42 (the dottedline in FIG. 5 indicates a wireless connection). Alternatively, theadvertising data may be provided via a memory card inserted into thecard reader 62, read from the media 58, and communicated to the controlsystem 38. In a configuration in which the advertising data is providedvia media 58, a wireless communication module 42 is not necessary forcommunicating advertising data to the cart 10 as it may be provided onremoveable media 58.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the control system 38 commands theelectronic displays 48 to show QR codes (quick response codes) 60. Inparticular, advertising data may include a web address or link, which isdisplayed as a QR code 60 readable by the camera on a PED 47. Apassenger may use their PED 47 to read the QR code 60 and be taken to aweb site with more information about the subject of an advertisement oran online ordering page for an advertised service or item. The QR code60 may be a link to a web page hosted by a server of the vehicleentertainment system 44, listing services and items available aboard thevehicle 12. The web address or link may be displayed in alphanumericformat as well for passengers that prefer to type the web address/link.

The QR codes 60 may further be provided as a payment option forpassengers. A passenger uses their PED 47 to read the QR code 60, suchas the amount due for a service item in which the PED 47 uses theinformation read from the QR code to communicate payment information tothe vehicle entertainment system 44 via a WAP 46 or directly with thewireless communication module 42 of the cart 10. In an alternativeconfiguration, the cart 10 includes an optical scanner 66 for reading QRcodes on PEDs 47 for receiving payment information from passengers otherinformation, such as information from a printed code, for instanceticket information or a coupon. In another configuration, an opticalsensor 66 is mounted to the top 26 or sidewalls 22 of the cart housing18 in which the PED 47 or material bearing the code may be held in frontof the sensor for reading the code.

In at least one other configuration, the control system 38 determinesthe language or languages in which to display information on thedisplays 48 based on departure origin and destination of the vehicle 12.For instance, if the vehicle 12 is an aircraft departing Paris, France,and arriving in Munich, Germany, it will display information in Frenchand German versions. Preferably, the travel itinerary is provided to thecart 10 along with advertisement data by communication with the vehicleentertainment system 12. Advertising may be automatically selected basedon the destination of the vehicle, such as attractions to visit at thedestination and available services at the destination. The vehicleentertainment system 10 may also communicate public address messages tothe cart 10 to show on the electronic displays 48. For example, ifturbulence is encountered during service and passengers are commanded toreturn to their seats and fasten seat belts, the cart 10 may show acorresponding message. Alternatively, a public address may identifypoints of interest to passengers as the vehicle 12 is passing nearby,such as mountains, lakes, rivers, or other sites.

The wireless communication module 42 may also include Bluetoothcapability for communication with location beacons 64 in the vehicle 12.For example, the vehicle 12 may include beacons 64 identifying differentclasses of service with the vehicle with different service itemsavailable for each class. In this configuration, the cart control system38 commands the displays 48 to display information in accordance withthe determined cart location. Hence, if the control system 38 determinesthe cart 10 is located in premium class seating, the control system 38commands the display 48 to display the premium class menu and/or otherinformation pertaining to that section of the vehicle 12. Similarly, ifthe control system 38 determines the cart 10 is located in economy classbased on communication with beacons 64, the control system 38 commandsthe displays 48 to control information for economy class services, suchas menus and items for purchase.

Vehicle crew may use the cart 10 to display public address messages byusing a crew personal electronic device to send commands to the cartcontrol system 38 via the wireless data communication module 42. Forexample, if the menu includes two choices for a meal and of the choicesis no longer available, a vehicle crew person could modify the menu.Lost and found messages could be posted, such as an item left in thelavatory. The crew may communicate directly with the cart 10 orindirectly via the vehicle entertainment system 44. In this regard,instead of using a crew personal electronic device to command the cart10, a crew management terminal of the entertainment system may be usedto communicate a command or message to the cart 10.

Various changes and modifications can be made as will be recognized bythose of ordinary skill in the art. While the cart 10 has been describedfor use with a vehicle 12, it could be used for stationary applicationsas well, such as providing services in a building, mall, or outdoorlocation. In addition, the cart could be to transport service items froma stationary environment, for example, from a storage or inventory areaof a building or terminal to the vehicle, and vice versa, such asoffloading unused inventory. The cart 10 may be provided with camerasand other sensors in communication with the control system 38 fornavigation, along with motorized wheels 24 for automated delivery ofitems. For example, while the vehicle 12 is at a terminal, the cart 10could be programmed to automatically proceed from an inventory or foodstorage area in the terminal, to the vehicle, and carry aboard suppliesfor the vehicle for an upcoming departure. Instead of wheels 24, thecart could be provided with treads or feet, or both wheels and feet.

The cart 10 has been illustrated with doors 25 disposed on the ends ofthe cart. However, doors 25 could be provided at other locations, forexample, on the upper surface of the cart for convenient access to acontainers in the cart having items such as ice and/or other items.Electronic displays 48 have been described on the sidewalls 22 of thecart. An additional electronic display or displays could be added, suchas on the upper surface of the cart 10 for use by crew personnel. Akeyboard and/or touch screen could be added for crew to quickly changeinformation displayed by the electronic displays 48, such as deletingitems from a menu if items are no longer available. As previouslymentioned, the NFC antennas 56 may be placed on the sidewalls 22 of thehousing 18, instead of the upper surface, or other locations, or both onthe upper surface and sidewalls. Instead of QR codes 60, the controlsystem 38 could command the electronic displays 48 to show bar codes orboth QR and bar codes and/or other codes readable by an optical sensoron a PED 47.

As changes can made, the foregoing disclosure and examples describedtherein are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and theinvention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may bemodified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.

1. A cart for use in providing service to passengers in a vehicle, thecart comprising: a housing including a storage volume and at least oneopening to the storage volume, the housing including a bottom and a pairof opposite sidewalls; wheels connected to the bottom of the housing; awireless communication module supported by the housing, the wirelesscommunication module configured to establish a data communications linkin accordance with at least one wireless communication protocol; a dataprocessor supported by the housing and connected in communication withthe wireless communication module, the data processor executing acontrol system, the control system receiving information via the datacommunications link; an electronic display supported by each sidewall ofthe housing, each electronic display being connected in communication tothe control system and displaying information in accordance withcommands received from the control system; and an electrical powersource electrically connected to the wireless communication module, thedata processor, and each electronic display and supplying electricalpower thereto.
 2. The cart of claim 1, further comprising a memorystoring data connected in communication with the data processor in whichthe control system executed by the data processor commands theelectronic displays to display information in accordance with the datastored in the memory.
 3. The cart of claim 1, wherein the wirelesscommunication module is configured to establish a data communicationslink in accordance with a media access control protocol known as CarrierSense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance based on IEEE 802.11standards, and a data communications link in accordance with short-rangeradio frequency communication protocol based on the InternationalOrganization for Standardization of radio frequency identification. 4.The cart of claim 1, wherein the control system receives advertisingdata via the data communications link, and commands the electronicdisplays to display information in accordance with the advertising data.5. The cart of claim 4, wherein at least one electronic displaycomprises an electrophoretic ink.
 6. The cart of claim 1, wherein atleast one electronic display comprises a liquid crystal display.
 7. Thecart of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source comprises arechargeable battery.
 8. A cart for use in providing service topassengers in a vehicle, the cart comprising: a housing including astorage volume and at least one opening to the storage volume, thehousing including a bottom and sidewalls; wheels connected to the bottomof the housing; a data processor supported in the housing and in whichthe data processor executes a control system; an electronic paperdisplay supported by at least one sidewall of the housing, theelectronic paper display being connected in communication to the controlsystem and displaying information in accordance with commands receivedfrom the control system; and an electrical power source electricallyconnected to the data processor and the electronic paper display andsupplying electrical power thereto.
 9. The cart of claim 8, wherein theelectronic paper display includes an electrophoretic ink.
 10. The cartof claim 8, further comprising a memory storing advertising dataconnected in communication with the data processor in which the controlsystem executed by the data processor commands the electronic display todisplay information in accordance with the advertising data.
 11. Thecart of claim 10, further comprising a non-volatile memory connected incommunication with the data processor.
 12. The cart of claim 8, furthercomprising a wireless communication module supported in the housing, thewireless communication module configured to establish a datacommunications link in accordance with at least one wirelesscommunication protocol.
 13. The cart of claim 12, wherein said at leastone wireless communication protocol is in accordance with at least oneof Bluetooth and NFC.
 14. The cart of claim 8, wherein the vehicleincludes an electrical system and galley, and the electrical powersource comprises a rechargeable battery supported by the housing, thecart further comprising a pair of electrical contacts configured toelectrically connect to the vehicle electrical system when the cart isstowed in the galley of the vehicle.
 15. A cart for use in providingservice to passengers in a vehicle, the cart comprising: a housingincluding a storage volume, a bottom, sidewalls, and opposite ends, eachend including a door moveable between an open position permitting accessto the storage volume, and a closed position, closing off access to thestorage volume from that end of the housing; wheels connected to thebottom of the housing; an information processing system supported by thehousing, the information processing system including a data processorand memory in communication with one another, the data processorexecuting a control system in which the control system accesses datastored in the memory; an electronic display supported by at least onesidewall of the housing, the electronic display being connected incommunication to the control system and displaying information inaccordance with commands received from the control system; and anelectrical power source electrically connected to the data processor,and electronic display and supplying electrical power thereto.
 16. Thecart of claim 15, further comprising another electronic displaysupported by another sidewall of the housing.
 17. The cart of claim 15,wherein the electronic display comprises an electrophoretic ink.
 18. Thecart of claim 15, further comprising a wireless communication modulesupported in the housing, the wireless communication module configuredto establish a data communications link in accordance with at least onewireless communication protocol.
 19. The cart of claim 18, wherein thewireless communication module is configured to establish a datacommunications link in accordance with a media access control protocolknown as Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance based onIEEE 802.11 standards, and a data communications link in accordance withshort-range radio frequency communication protocol based onInternational Organization for Standardization radio frequencyidentification.
 20. The cart of claim 15, wherein the vehicle includesan electrical system and galley, and the electrical power sourcecomprises a rechargeable battery supported by the housing, the cartfurther comprising electrical contacts configured to electricallyconnect to the vehicle electrical system when the cart is stowed in thegalley of the vehicle.